Health checks
It is important for everyone to get a regular health check but if you have a mental illness it is increasingly important because you are more likely to suffer from a physical health problem.
Your should ask your GP for a yearly check up.
Since 2004 GPs will get some of their funding from doing regular physical health checks on people with severe mental illness including schizophrenia and manic depression.
Since 2004 GPs will get some of their funding from doing regular physical health checks on people with severe mental illness including schizophrenia and manic depression.
What is a physical health check?
Physical health checks vary depending on which doctor you see. You may not even see a doctor but a practice nurse. However, during most physical health checks your doctor or nurse will want to:
- take a blood sample
- take your pulse
- do a urine test
- weigh you
- listen to your heart
They should also check what medication you are taking and if you are experiencing any side effects. Let the doctor or nurse know if there is something that is worrying you also.
